While the OKC Thunder front office is madly working the phones in preparation for tomorrow’s NBA Draft the league office is busy ensuring next season will get back on track.
After the past two seasons were greatly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic the 2021-22 season will return to the normal calendar.
Intentions recently updated on the key dates for this offseason and next year including vital contract dates that will impact the 2021-22 roster. In addition, news detailing the four preseason games and their game specifics is available by clicking here.
OKC Thunder Summer League schedule
Whispers and rumors of the Thunder trying to trade up for the top draft pick are rampant. The fact OKC will tip off their Summer League schedule versus the Pistons only adds fodder to the prospect of whether Sam Presti and Troy Weaver will be able to break bread on getting a deal done prior to the NBA Draft tomorrow evening.
Regardless of whether a draft swap occurs the fact OKC will play Detroit on the opening day of Summer League means the top draft pick is likely to be on the court for this game.
The event runs from August 8th through 17th in Las Vegas with between six and eight games occurring daily. Once again matches will be played in the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion. Every game will air either on ESPN or NBA TV and also be available via the ESPN live stream app.
As for the rest of the Thunder Summer League schedule here are the particulars:
- Sunday, August 8th – Thunder versus Pistons at 8:30 p.m. EST (7:30 p.m CT) on ESPN2
- Wednesday, August 11th – Thunder versus Pelicans at 7:00 p.m. on NBA TV
- Friday, August 13th – Warriors versus Thunder at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN2
- Saturday, August 14th – Pacers versus Thunder at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN2
- Final game – TBA and played either on August 16th or 17th
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If everything goes as planned at the NBA Draft (read: no draft night trades) that would mean the OKC Thunder will play three lottery picks including the top draft pick (Pistons) as well as the seventh (Warriors), and 13th (Pacers).
*all times listed in Eastern Standard time
** full schedule for all 30 teams – click here
All 30 teams will be on hand to participate in the annual summer event in Vegas with each team playing four games in the opening phase. Performances in those matches will determine the seeding for the playoff phase.
In a bit of switch-up this season, the two clubs with the best record after four contests will play in the championship game while the 28 other clubs will be paired for a final game based on seeding.
Determining the top two teams could require tiebreakers utilizing head-to-head outcomes or point differential. If several teams are tied, however, the finalists could be determined by a random draw.
ESPN will air the championship game on August 17 at 9:00 p.m.